Car-coupler-positioning device



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Filed March 11. 1920 F F GAINES CAR COUPLER POSITIONING DEVICE Aug. 7, 1923.

FREDERICK 3'1. GAINES,

tiara Fl lCE.

OF SAVEJJNAIT', GEORGIA.

CAR-COUPLEB-POSETIONING- DEVICE.

Application filed March 11, 1920.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK F. Gnrnns, citizen 01 the United States, and resident of the city of Savannah, iii the county oi? ()hatham, State 01" Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Coupler-Positioning Devices, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a safe mechanical method of positioning or adjusting car couplers, so that cars can be readily coupled in shifting in railway yards, and about industrial plants.

Couplers have approximately three inches lateral motion on carrier irons, and in some instances, considerably more where end sills are battered by wear, and it is the trainmens practice to kick the couplers into line or go in between the cars, and line up couplers by hand; either method is prolific cause of loss of life or serious injury.

A further object of my invention is to provide a simple but effective organization of elements of such construction that they will withstand the rough usage incident to positioning couplers: and with this and other objects in view my invention consists of the parts and combination of parts as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an end elevation of a car broken away on which niy improved positioning device is mounted.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the line 33 Figure 1.

The reference numeral 1 designates a sill of any suitable construction upon which is mounted the striking iron 2 in which the carry iron 3 is swingingly mounted by the links 1. The coupler 5 is mounted upon the carry iron 3 as shown.

My improved positioning device includes a bell crank lever consisting of the arms 6 and '7 which are independently pivotedly mounted on a journal 8 which is suitably secured to the end sill, there being a washer 9 interposed between the end sill and the inner end of the arm 7 of the bell crank lever as clearly shown in Figure The arms 6 and 7 are suitably secured on t e pin 8 by any desirable means such as the washer and cotter pin 10. The arm 7 is provided with a lug 11 near its outer end upon which is pivotedly mounted the hand latch 12 which is normally spaced from. the hand Serial No. 364,353.

grip 13 by the spring 1 To the inner end oi the hand latch 12 I pivotally secure the outer end of a bolt 15, the inner end of the bolt being slidably confined with a strap or housing 16. The upper end of the arm 6 is provided with a. recess 17 within which the inner end of the bolt 15 is adapted to be projected when the hand latch 12 is moved toward the hand griplfl, as shown inFigure 3, thereby rigidly locking the arms 6 and 7 together for cooperative movement tor positioning the coupler.

A link 18 is pivotally secured to the carry iron Z and to the lower end of the arm. 6 oil the bell crank lever.

A suitable loop strap 19, is positioned on the end sill under which the arm 7 of the bell crank lover is slidably confined.

When the parts are in the position shown in. Figure l the coupler and the carry iron are free to swing to accommodate service movements of the coupler without imparting any movement to the lever .7 so that it is very easy for the trainmen to grasp the lever 7 without liability of being injured by a whipping action of the lever. hen it is desired to position the coupler the hand clasp 12 is moved thereby projecting the inner end of the bolt 15 within the recess 17 thus locking the arms 6 and 7 of the bell crank lever rigidly together, so that it it is desired to position the coupler to the left the arm 7 is pushed downwardly thereby, through the arm 6 and link 18, throw ingthe carry iron and the coupler toward the left. If it is desired to position the coupler toward the right the arm 7 is pulled upwardly.

While I have shown the bell crank lever and link 18 as connected to a carry iron. it will of course be understood that the link may be connected directly to the coupler, therefore, it will be understood that such a change can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. It will also be understood that other changes may be made in the details of construction with out departing from the scope of the ap pended claims.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In a car coupler positioning device, the combination with a coupler, of a bell crank lever the arms of which have a flexible connection at their juncture, whereby one of said arms may move with the coupler in service movements, and a latch mounted on one of said arms and adapted to engage the other of said arms and lock the arms together and a connection between the coupler and the bell crank lever, whereby the coupler may be positioned by movement f the bell crank lever.

2. In a car coupler positioning device the a latch on the other of said arms whereby the arms or the bell crank lever may be rigidly connected for positioning a coupler.

3. 1n a car coupler positioning device, the combination with the coupler and a swinging carry iron for the same, a bell crank lever the arms or which have a flexible joint at their juncture, a link connecting one of said arms with the swinging carry iron, a latch mounted on the other of said arms to connect said arms rigidly together, and means for limiting the movement of the bell crank lever.

l. In a car coupler positioning device, the combination with a car coupler, of a swing ing carry iron for the coupler, of a bell crank'lever, the arms of which have a flexible joint at their juncture, a link connecting one of said arms with the carry iron,

and means whereby the arms of the bell crank lever may be rigidly connected for positioning the coupler.

5. In a car coupler positioning device, the combination with a car coupler, of a swinging carry iron for the coupler, of a bell crank lever, the arms of which have a flexible joint at their juncture, means operatively connecting said bell crank lever with the carry iron, and means whereby the arms of the bell crank may be rigidly connected for positioning the coupler.

6. A car coupler positioning device, the combination with a car coupler, a swinging carry iron for the coupler, a bell crank lever. the arms or" which have a flexible joint at their juncture,'means for rigidly connecting said arms for joint action, and'means operatively connecting the bell crank lever with the coupler.

7. In a car coupler positioning device, the

combination with a car coupler, a bell crank lever, the arms of which have a flexible oint at their juncture, means for rigidly connecting said arms for joint action, and means operatively connecting the bell crank lever with the coupler.

In testimony whereof I am); my signature.

FREDERICK F. GAINES. 

